Switch assembly for timers



p l 16, 1957 1.. J. LAVIANA 2,789,168

' swnca ASSEMBLY FOR 'rxlmas Filed Feb. 15, 1955 FIG.I

. INVENTOR- L A WPENCE. a. LA V/A NA ATTORNEYS United States PatentSWITCH ASSEMBLY FOR TIMERS Lawrence J. Laviana, Kensington, Conn.,assignor to M. H. Rhodes, Inc., Hartford, Conn., a corporation ofDelaware Application February 15, 1955, Serial No. 488,293

Claims. (Cl. 200-35) This invention relates to timers of the type havinga timing mechanism and an electrical switching mechanism controlledthereby. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in theswitching mechanism of such timers.

Timers of this type are widely used in the electrical appliance fieldand elsewhere to provide a convenient and effective means forcontrolling a variety of electrical switching operations at preselectedtimes. The particular switching operation to be controlled dictates thetype of switch required in the timer, i. e. singleor doublepole,singleor double-throw, etc., as well as the manner of operation of theswitch. To meet the switching requirements of various installations, ithas heretofore been the practice of manufacturers of such timers to makea variety of models, each with its own switching mechanism especiallytailored for a particular installation. This procedure has severaldisadvantages, however, among which are the limited length of productionrun possible when making any one model, the excessive number ofdifferent parts involved and attendant large inventories required, andthe difiiculty of adapting any one model for use in installations otherthan those for which it was originally planned.

The principal object of the present invention is to re- :duce the numberof different parts as well as the cost of manufacture of a line of suchtimers having different switching mechanisms each adapted for use in aparticular installation.

Another object is to provide a timer of the character described havingan improved switching mechanism can .able of switching any desirednumber of circuits in any desired manner.

Another object is to provide in such timers a switching mechanism ofimproved flexibility which can be eas- 'ily tailored for us in aparticular control circuit, yet may be readily converted for use in adifferent circuit.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed :out more indetail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will beexemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawing: Figure l is an elevation view partly in section of atimer constructed in accordance with the present inven- 'tion;

Figure 2 is a plan view of one component of the switching mechanism ofthe timer shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a bottom View of the timing mechanism of the timer shown inFigure 1 taken approximately on cordance with the present inventionincludes a timing ice mechanism designated generally at 2 and aswitching mechanism designated generally at 4.

The timing mechanism includes a spring-driven clockworks supported in aframe including a lower plate 6. The frame is enclosed within a casing8. On the top of the casing is an externally threaded sleeve 12, and inthe timer shown a cup-shaped signal bell 14 is mounted on the sleeve andsurrounds the casing 8.

The main shaft 10 of the clockworks projects from the top of the casingthrough sleeve 12 and is adapted to carry a knob by which the shaft maybe turned to wind the clock spring. The lower end of the shaft 10 isjournaled in plate 6 and carries a control cam 16. A peripheral notch 18in the cam 16 has a radial trailing side and a sloping leading sideformed with one or more steps 26. Adjacent cam 16 is a disc 22 ofslightly larger diameter journaled on the shaft 10 and also providedwith a peripheral notch 24. Except that its leading side is radialrather than sloping, notch 24 corresponds in shape with notch 18, havingone or more steps 25. The disc 22 and cam 16 are connected to permitlimited lost motion by a pin 26 on the cam which engages a slot 28 inthe disc. A lever 35%, pivotally mounted on plate 6 by a pin 32, isbiased toward the cam 16 and disc 22 by a spring 34 connected betweenits free end and an anchor on the plate 6. A follower 36 on the leverrides on the periphery of the disc 22. With this arrangement when theshaft it) is turned so that the notches 18, 24 and the follower 36 arealigned, the follower falls into the notches 13, 24, thereby producinglimited angular movement of the lever St. A switch actuating member inthe form of a longitudinal pin or arm 52 is mounted on the free end oflever 3% parallel to shaft 10.

In accordance with the invention, the switching mechanism of the timeris made up of a plurality of individual components or sections eachcontaining a complete switch of a particular type. The individualsections are substantially identical except for the particular switchcontained in each, and hence any desired number of sections having adesired variety of switches may be grouped together to form a completeswitch mechanism of composite construction capable of meeting theswitching requirements of any particular installation. Two differentexemplary switch sections are shown in Figures 2 and 4, that in Figure 4having a double-pole single-throw switch and that in Figure 2 having adouble-pole single-throw switch arranged for sequential operation of itstwo poles. Each section is completely self-contained and includes ashallow cup-shaped body portion or housing 40 of nonconducting materialhaving a flat bottom wall 42 and a cylindrical peripheral wall 44. Thebottom wall 42 has a section of diminished thickness which may beknocked out to form a slot 43. The top edge of the peripheral wall isformed with notches 46 and a rabbet 48, and the outside of the bottomwall has an annular ridge 50. Rising from the bottom wall andterminating level with the top of the peripheral wall is a plurality ofinterior pillars or columns 52, each having a throughbore 54. Rotatablymounted at the center of the bottom wall of each section is a disc-typeswitch cam 56 of non-conducting material having one or more peripheralnose portions 58 and a crank portion having a short radial slot 60.Cooperating with the switch cam are the current conducting members ofthe switch, including one or more fixed contacts 64 each mounted on apost 66, and corresponding movable contacts 68 each carried by aflexible contact arm 70 mounted on a post 72. Each contact arm 76 isdisposed for engagement by the switch cam 56 and for movement betweenmake and break positions responsive to limited angular movement of theswitch cam. The arms 70 are shown in their operating or on position inFigures 2 and 4. Depending on the relative positions as described, theoperation of the timer is as follows.

having the relative positions shown in Figure 3.

of the contact arms 70 and earns 56, the arms may be arranged to movesimultaneously or sequentially as cam 56 is rotated. Connected to thebottom ends of posts 66, 72 are radially extending terminal members 74.

' With the individual switch sections constructed as described, .aswitch mechanism suitable for the requirements of a particularinstallation may be readily provided simply by assembling severalindividual housings containing the number and types of switchesrequired. The several individual housings 40 are assembled in stackedrelation with the pillars 52 of each abutting the bottom wail 42 of theone above and with the rabbet 48 of each receiving the ridge '50 of theone above for enhanced rigidity, and are secured to the timing mechanismby screws tit} which extend through the bores 54 in the pillars 52 andare threadably received in the plate 6. The bottom edge of easing 8nests in the rabbet of the uppermost housing to .insure afirm and rigidconnection between the timing mechanism and assembled housings so. Theterminal members 74 of each housing project outwardly througr thenotches 46 of the one below to facilitate convenient wiring of theindividual switches. The longitudinal pin or arm 82 on the free end ofthe lever 30 extends down through the slot 60 in each cam, passingthrough the slot 43 in the bottom wall of'each housing except thelowermost.

With the switch mechanism constructed and arranged As the shaft 10 isturned counterclockwise as shown in Figure 3, cam 16 lifts the follower36 up out of the notches 18, '24 and onto the periphery of the disc 22,the clock spring is wound, and the angle through which the shaft isturned determines the time interval which must elapse before thefollower can again fall into the notch 24. The limited clockwise angularmovement of the lever 30 which accompanies lifting of the follower outof the notches 18,

.24 likewise moves pin or arm -82 through a limited angle,

this movement being accommodated by the slots .13. This rotates all ofthe switch earns 56 in unison counterclockwiseto the positions shown inFigures 2 and 4, and .thereby moves the contact arms 70 in all thehousings 4i tosetallof the switches at their respective operatingpositions, .as shown in Figures 2 and 4. The clock then drives the shaft10 clockwiseas shown in Figure 3, the cam .lfipulling the'disc 22 andthe cam 16 and disc 22 g After sutficient time has elapsed to align thefollower 36 with the leading edge of the notch 24, the follower dropsinto .the.notch,.landing on its step 25. This moves arm 82 acorresponding amount counterclockwise as shown in Fig- .ure 3 :andcauses all of the switch cams tobe rotated in unison, clockwiseasshownin Figures 2 and 4, through a -.predeterniined angle, therebyengaging tone or more nose portions 58 with arms 74 and producing apredetermined operation of the switch controlled by each cam.

:Rotation of the shaft it for additional periods of time,

depending in number and length on the number and length :of steps 25,causes arm 82 to rotate all of the switch cams 56 in unison throughadditional predeter- .mined angularincrements, .clockwiseas shown inFigures :2 and 4, thereby engaging the remaining cam nose portions.58,if any, andperforrning additional switching 0perationsasall of the arms70 are returned in stepwise fashion to their original .non-operating'oroff position.

An importantradvantage of the inve on is the fact that timers .havingswitching mechanisms constructed arranged as above -described can'beeificiently and n- :need :be manufactured for an entire line of timers,regard- ,lessr'of the many'different types ofswitches required fordifferenttimer -applications,-and since the individualxswitch sectionsare substantially identical except for the paiticul'ar type of switchcontained therein, it will be appreciated that the inventionsubstantially reduces the number of different parts required for acomplete line, and thereby provides substantial economies both ininventory and manufacturing costs. Moreover, the construction describedpermits the assembly with a single timing mechanism of any desirednumber of switch sections capable of switching any desired number ofcircuits in any desired manner. Furthermore, since all the switchsections differ only in respect to the particular type of switch ineach, and since each is completely self-contained and convenientlyremovable and interchangeable, a timer constructed in accordance withthe invention is extremely flexible and may be readily converted fromone use to another.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and manyapparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be madewithout departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawingsshall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the language used in the followingclaims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features ofthe invention herein described and all statements .of the scope of theinvention which, as a matter of language, might be said to falltherebetween.

I claim:

1. In a timer, a timing mechanism, a switching mechanism formed of aplurality of removable and interchangeable switch-ing sections, eachswitching section comprising an open-ended cup-shaped housing includinga bottom wall and a cylindrical peripheral wall having means to supportanother such section in stacked relation, means disposed within thehousing adapted to receive fasteners for securing the section to otherlike sections, a switch cam rotatably mounted on said bottom wall andhaving a crank portion, fixed switch contacts in said housing, andcooperable movable switch contacts in said housing controlled by saidswitch cam, a movable actuator member controlled by the timing mechanismdisposed for extension axially of each switching section for engagementwith said crank portion formo'-/ement of the switch cam, and a knock-outin the bottom wall of each switching section registrable with the locusof movement of said actuator member.

2. In a timer having a timing mechanism and a switching mechanism, aswitch section forming a constituent part of the switching mechanismcomprising an openended cup-shaped housing including a hat bottom wallhaving an annular ridge on its underside and a cylindrical peripheralwall having a rabbeted upper edge for receiving the ridge of anothersuch section to support such section in marginally telescoped stackedrelation, pillars upstanding from said bottom wall dimensioned to abutthe bottom of a superposed section and having t roughbores adapted toreceive mounting screws for fastening the section to other like sectionsand to the bottom of thetim-ing mechanism, a switch cam rotatabiymounted on said bottom wall and having a slotted crank portion adaptedto receive an actuator controlled by the timing mechanism, jfixed switchcontacts in said housing, portion of reduced thickness forming aknock-out in said bottom wall through which the actuator may extend toadditional sections below, and cooper-"able movable switch contacts insaid housing-controlled by said-switch 3. In-a timer having a casing, aclock mechanism in the casing, a timing cam driven in one direction bythe clock mechanism and movable in the other direction to set thedesired tirnecycle, and-a longitudinally extending arm controlled by thetiming cam movable in a transverse direction between an operatingposition and an etf-pcsition, a switch --mechanism adapted to-be'coutrolled bv said clock mechanism comprising a plurality ofremovable and interchangeable open-ended cup-shaped switch housingsmounted on the casing in longitudinally stacked coaxial relation, aswitch cam in each of said switch housings rotatable about alongitudinal axis and having a transverse slot adapted to receive saidarm, a knockout in the bottom of each housing forming an opening beneaththe locus of movement of the cam slot therein through which said arm mayextend, and a switch in each housing operatively associated with theswitch cam therein.

4. In a timer, a timing mechanism having a cylindrical casing, aswitching mechanism adapted to be controlled by the timing mechanism andcomprising a plurality of constituent sections, each of said sectionshaving a cupshaped housing including a flat bottom wall and acylindrical peripheral wall having means for supporting a superposedsection in stacked relation, means for securing said sections togetherand to said timing mechanism in stacked relation and with the sides ofthe sections forming a substantially uninterrupted continuation of thecylindrical shape of the timing mechanism casing, a rotatable switch cammounted on the bottom wall of each housing having a slotted crankportion, fixed switch contacts in each housing, cooperative movableswitch contacts controlled by said switch cam, means forming an openingin the bottom wall of each housing below the locus of movement of saidcrank portion, and an actuator controlled by the timing mechanismextending through said openings and through the crank portion of theswitch cam in each housing.

5. In a timer, a timing mechanism, a switching mechanism adapted to becontrolled by the timing mechanism and comprising a plurality ofremovable and replaceable constituent sections, each of said sectionshaving a cup-shaped housing including a flat bottom wall and acylindrical peripheral wall having means for supporting a superposedsection in stacked relation and provided with notches at its upper edge,pillars upstanding from the bottom wall of each housing dimensioned toabut the bottom wall of the section above and having throughboresreceiving mounting screws for securing said sections to said timingmechanism in stacked relation, a rotatable switch cam mounted on thebottom wall of each housing and having a slotted crank portion, fixedswitch contacts in each housing, cooperative movable switch contactscontrolled by said cam, terminal members on each housing connected tosaid contacts and projecting radially through the notches in theperipheral wall of the housing below, means including a knock-outportion forming an opening in the bottom wall of each housing below thelocus of movement of said crank portion, and an actuator controlled bythe timing mechanism extending through said openings and through thecrank portion of the switch cam in each housing.

Jefirey July 29, 1952 Koenig Jan. 20, 1953

